Health is a prelude to everything else in life.
I’ve been in the area of fitness and health for almost 8 years now, started with yoga, I am in my calisthenics and strength training phase of my life.
Here are the seven things I avoid to remain healthy. Some of it is shocking!
#1 Waking up irrationally early
If you want unprecedented success in life, wake up before 5am, its a myth!
In an ideal world where people don’t have distractions and nights are pitch dark, sure, most people would go to bed at night falls; even then some people might find it difficult to sleep.
Its because humans have systems that are wired to sleep at different times. Its not one size fits all. More important thing is to train your brain to have a consistent sleep schedule.
I have worked hard to regulate my sleep and waking time over many years to go to bed around 10 to 10:30 pm and wake up somewhere between 6:30 to 7am. I don’t even need an alarm clock to wake up anymore. This schedule works for me and keeps my body and mind rested.
#2 Working out everyday
After I quit my job, I had this extra built up energy saved from navigating in Bangalore traffic. I thought I could do everything everyday and so I did. I tried to squeeze running, strength training, and yoga every day. It went on for a few weeks, before I realised that I didn’t have energy for anything else later in the day.
It is utmost important to give your body enough rest to function better next day. Overload is important but combined with rest days.
Now I do 2 days strength training to maintain muscle mass, 3 days yoga to maintain flexibility and 2-3 days light running for zone 2 cardio. This works out very efficiently to keep up energy throughout the day.
#3 Not having a cleansing routine
A cleansing routine is something that I have recently added to my fitness schedule. I was aware of the practices and I have performed some of them in the past but it was never scheduled.
For our bodies to function at its peak, it needs cleaning and maintenance. I perform enema every season change which is a practice to clean large intestine. It not only cleanses the system deeply, but also calms mind and provides immense energy.
#4 Eating only 1 kind of grain
Did you know it takes insane amount of water to cultivate basmati rice, compared to grains like millet which takes less than 1/4th amount of water.
Did you know raagi is the only kind of flour which has fat soluble vitamin D?
Don’t get hooked up on the question - “Rice or Roti”. Eat all the kind of grains, you need so many different nutrients every week. Bring variety to your food and enrich your life with so many different flavours.
I eat red, brown, white rice, millet, raagi, quinoa, lentils, at least 3 types of beans in a given week
#5 Not eating enough
Cabbage rice is not rice, replacement is never good. Unless you are trying to do something outrageous, in general people don’t really need to go on such diets. In fact, don’t even think of them. For healthy body and brain function, we all need 3 nutritious and balanced meals.
I have always been lean, never gained weight abruptly. I naturally have the tendency gravitate toward healthy food, thanks to my upbringing. I honestly believe that when you start eating clean the body wants more of that.
I get cravings too, and I indulge. But I make sure I eat healthy and clean most of the time.
Which of these you found shocking? Which of them do you actually follow? Tell me in comments.